Is the trademark “bravado” of an NFL wide receiver a product of nature or nurture – are players born that way or do they cultivate the attitude because they need to stand out in the league? More importantly, is the wide receiver bravado good for business? NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter, Super Bowl Champion and former New York Giant Victor Cruz, and 6x Pro-Bowler Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson join Jay Williams for a wide-ranging discussion about the evolution of the NFL as a league and how the marketing over its players has changed over the years, particularly through the eyes of the game’s most provocative position.
Cris Carter details what it was like to transition from college to the pros, and how difficult it is for most college football players to make ends meet while their name and likeness are being used for profit. Victor Cruz talks about the moment that he realized he could build a personal brand through his own personality, his end zone salsa dance, and his desire to take meetings and network. Chad Johnson discusses the debate over whether or not he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and the reason behind the name change to “Ochocinco.” All three players get into a heated discussion about players like Odell Beckham Jr. and whether an NFL player’s “star power” can ever be bigger than that of the league itself.
Watch all of Season 2 of The Boardroom now streaming on ESPN+. All five episodes, including Transforming Women’s Sports, League Fashion, Evolution of the Wide Receiver, The NBA Past Present and Future, and Rap or Go to the League, are available now in addition to six episodes of Season 1, a Free Agency special episode with Kevin Durant and Stephen A Smith, and a live episode with Jaylen Brown.
Is wide receiver bravado good for business? Cris Carter, Victor Cruz and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson join Williams for a wide-ranging discussion about the evolution of the NFL and its marketing, through the eyes of those who play the game’s most provocative position.
